Cylinder rupture vessel

ABSTRACT

A waste cylinder rupture vessel for release and recontainerization of toxic contents of compressed gas cylinders is defined by an enclosed chamber which accommodates a plurality of bearing surfaces for supporting and positioning a target cylinder thereon. A puncture spike disposed within the chamber is adapted to puncture the target cylinder at its mid-section, thereby releasing its contents. Connections are provided communicating with the enclosed chamber for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents released by a punctured cylinder without release of the contents into the environment. All of the cylinder processing operations may be provided remotely.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/290,562,filed Aug. 15, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,665 which is a continuationapplication of Ser. No. 08/011,865, filed Feb. 1, 1993, U.S. Pat. No.5,337,793, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 873,481, Feb. 20, 1992,U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,219, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 489,234,Mar. 6, 1990, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 57,083,Jun. 3, 1987, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,333, which is a continuation-in-partof Ser. No. 669,537, Nov. 8, 1984, U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,180.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of hazardous waste disposal, and inparticular, to the disposal of the contents of deteriorated compressedgas cylinders. Compressed gas cylinders in deteriorated condition andcontaining unknown and potentially dangerous gases have been discoveredin unprecedented numbers at industrial plants, research facilitates andhazardous waste sites. The compressed gas cylinders presently locatedrepresent only a fraction of those still to be discovered. The inabilityto identify the contents of deteriorated compressed gas cylinders makesit impossible to dispose of such cylinders in a manner safe to both theinvolved personnel and to the environment. The present invention wasdeveloped in response to the demand for technology to ascertain thenature of the contents of deteriorated gas cylinders and to provide ameans whereby these cylinders could be safely sampled and disposed.Thus, the present invention provides a vessel for the safe release ofthe entire contents of any gas cylinder under carefully controlledconditions, allowing for the safe withdrawal and recontainerization ofboth gaseous and liquid phases of any material released from thecylinder.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Until now, the principal technique for disposing of known, and sometimeseven unknown, compressed gas cylinders has been through detonation. Thismethod provides a quick, relatively inexpensive manner of destroyingsmall numbers of cylinders, particularly those containing pyrophoricgases. Severe disadvantages become evident, however, when detonating gascylinders with unknown contents. Among the principal disadvantages ofdetonation for this type of cylinder are inadequate destruction ofcylinder contents when the contained gas is of a non-pyrophoric nature,incomplete combustion of cylinder contents, and the creation ofundesirable combustion by-products. Even more importantly, detonation ofcylinders whose contents are unknown may result in the release ofbacteriological and virological agents, as well as radioactive gases,into the environment. Finally, control over the entire process ishampered by the inadequate real-time air monitoring instrumentationcurrently available.

In the agricultural field, various devices have been utilized for thetransfer of toxic liquids such as pesticides and herbicides. U.S. Pat.No. 3,993,221 to Boynton et al shows a closed system chemical transferapparatus for transferring concentrated chemical insecticide from acontainer to a main water tank for mixing with the water to provide aspray solution. The apparatus consists of a chamber for receiving andenclosing an insecticide container. The container is penetrated by apunch and its contents allowed to flow out of the bottom of theenclosing chamber to a water tank. Rinsing water flows out through thepunch and a plunger is activated to crush the container.

A closed liquid transfer system for agricultural chemicals is also shownin U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,481. A closed, toxicant-filled container isplaced within a sealed chamber. The container is punctured by a probelocated in the chamber but operable from outside the chamber by a lever.The released toxicant thereafter flows from the sealed chamber to atransfer tank.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,341 to Feldt et al is directed to an apparatus forremoving the contents of damaged aerosol containers of the type having avalve insert. An aerosol can to be emptied is placed with its valve sidedown in a casing and centered over a clamp means. The clamp is drawndownward to detach the valve seat insert. The gas released from the opencan flows into the casing and thereafter to a discharge pipe.

The concept of removing the contents of a container by puncturing thecontainer and subsequently withdrawing the contents is further shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,274,453 and 2,051,981.

None of the prior art references is directed to a cylinder rupturevessel for sampling, recontainerization and disposal of hazardous wastegas cylinders of unknown contents. Furthermore, the prior art does notteach or suggest a cylinder rupture vessel capable of accommodating gascylinders of diverse sizes and configurations. The prior art also doesnot teach or suggest apparatus for safely withdrawing the contents ofcompressed gas cylinders having a very high pressure, while maintaininghigh factors of safety. It is also not known in the art to provide acylinder rupture vessel wherein all processing operations may beperformed remotely.

The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies in theprior art by providing a waste cylinder rupture vessel that houses atarget compressed gas cylinder for sampling, recontainerization, anddisposal of the cylinder contents by virtue of cylinder processingoperations performed at a control panel outside of the sealed structure.The design and operating protocols of the cylinder rupture vessel assurethe highest possible degree of safety for handling compressed gascylinders in any condition and ensure adequate isolation of toxic gasesfrom the environment during the entire processing operation. The presentinvention may also be utilized for the safe and efficient withdrawal,sampling and recontainerization of the contents of pressurized andnon-pressurized drums and other similar containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a mobile, air-tight cylinder rupturevessel is provided having an access member at its forward end forcommunicating with the vessel interior so as to place therewithin atarget compressed gas cylinder whose contents are to be disposed.Rollers or V-shaped bearing surfaces located in the bottom interior ofthe vessel along the elongate length thereof support and center acompressed gas cylinder of any size. A hydraulically actuated drill orpuncture member is located in the upper portion of the vessel so as tobe disposed above a target compressed gas cylinder resting on saidbearing surfaces. Hydraulic clamps are adapted to be lowered over thecylinder to immobilize the cylinder during the puncture operation. Asecond, similar puncture member may be disposed below the upper puncturemember and beneath the bearing surfaces.

Subsequent to loading a target compressed gas cylinder into the cylinderrupture vessel, the access member is sealed and air is purged from thevessel interior by means of a vacuum pump communicating with a vacuumconnection provided in the wall of the vessel. An inert gas isintroduced into the vessel through purge connections until theatmosphere inside the cylinder rupture vessel is completely inert.Alternatively, a supercooled liquid may be used as the media for thepuncture operation.

The puncture operation is performed by actuating the hydraulic drill orthe hydraulic cylinder and piston for the puncture member, located inthe vessel interior, for downward movement toward the target cylinder.When a puncture spike is utilized, a centering block, which moves withthe piston and the puncture member along cylindrical guide rods againstthe force of compression springs, holds the cylinder in place and guidesthe puncture member into the cylinder. The centering block rests on theupper wall of the target cylinder to secure the target cylinder prior topenetration and to prevent the ruptured target cylinder from travelingupward with the puncture member when the piston is retracted. Downwardmovement of the piston or drill results in penetration of at least thetop wall of the target cylinder, thereby releasing the gas and/or liquidcontained therein. The roller bearing surfaces may be adapted forrotation so as to allow the target cylinder to be inverted to facilitatedrainage. A closed-circuit video monitoring system may be installed inthe vessel to verify and monitor the puncture sequence.

The cylinder rupture vessel is capable of being tilted along itslongitudinal axis in both an upward and downward direction off itsnormally horizontal plane by means of a hydraulic support assemblylocated beneath the forward end of the vessel. Tilting the vesselfacilitates the removal of liquid released from the punctured cylinderand from the vessel through a drainage port located in the vessel wall.Liquid drained out of the cylinder rupture vessel is recontainerizedalong with any gas that had volatilized from the liquid.

An analytical gas chromatography unit is connected to a sampling port bymeans of a valve for direct sample extraction and analysis of the vesselcontents.

Gases present in the cylinder rupture vessel following the rupturesequence are evacuated through the vacuum connection, utilizing a vacuumpump in series with a compressor. Once a vacuum is created inside thevessel, insert gas is reintroduced through the purge connections and thecylinder rupture vessel will be safe to open after complete pressureequalization has occurred.

Gas withdrawn from the vessel is pumped into new gas cylinders, sampledand properly staged for disposal. If liquids have been released, theinterior of the cylinder rupture vessel is triple rinsed with alkalisolution. The rinse water is then containerized and staged for disposal.The ruptured cylinders are removed from the vessel and properlydisposed.

All cylinder processing operations, including air purge, introduction ofinert gas, activation of the drill or puncture member, evacuation andtilting of the vessel and closed-circuit video monitoring for verifyingthe puncture sequence are performed at a control panel outside of thevessel. The entire vessel, vacuum and compressor systems may be locatedin a sealed, pressure-tight room inside of a semi-van.

Thus, a principal object of the invention is to provide a safemethodology for the sampling and recontainerization of compressed gasesand liquids.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an environmentallyacceptable manner of disposing of deteriorated compressed gas cylindershaving unknown contents.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for the safe releaseof the entire contents of gas cylinders of various sizes, configurationsand pressure.

It is a further object of the invention to allow safe withdrawal andrecontainerization of both gaseous and liquid phases of any materialreleased from ruptured gas cylinders.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a cylinder rupturevessel having a high factor of safety.

It is an object of the invention to dispose of gas cylinders by meanswherein toxic gases are isolated from the environment and frompersonnel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cylinder rupture unitthat is mobile.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cylinder rupture unitwherein all of the target cylinder processing operations are performedby remote control from outside of the vessel.

An additional object of the invention is to dispose of compressed gascylinders having a very high pressure.

Another object of the invention is to withdraw, sample andrecontainerize the contents of non-pressurized drums and other similarcontainers.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by the following description of severalembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a first embodiment ofa waste cylinder rupture vessel constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken through a portion ofthe waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1, such view being taken alongline 2--2 of FIG. 1, and further being taken on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a portion of the waste cylinderrupture vessel of FIG. 1, such view being taken along line 3--3 of FIG.1 and further being taken on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the puncture spike utilized withinthe waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1, such view being taken alongline 4--4 of FIG. 1 and further being taken on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the puncture spike shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a second alternativeembodiment of a waste cylinder rupture vessel constructed in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of a fragment of the rupture vessel ofFIG. 6, such view being taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 6 and in thedirection indicated, and further being taken on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a fragment of the rupturevessel of FIG. 6, such view being taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 6 and inthe direction indicated;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the cylindrical closureof the waste cylinder rupture vessel being pivoted to its openedposition;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the punch assembly employed withthe waste cylinder rupture unit of FIG. 6, such view being taken withinthe insert "10" in FIG. 6, and further being taken on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a third alternativeembodiment of a waste cylinder rupture vessel constructed in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through a portion ofthe waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 11, such view being takenalong line 12--12 of FIG. 11 and further being taken on a reduced scale;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the lower punch member utilizedwithin the waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 11, such view beingtaken along line 13--13 of FIG. 11, and further being taken on a reducedscale;

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through a portion ofthe waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 11, such view being takenalong line 14--14 of FIG. 11 and further being taken on a reduced scale.

FIG. 15 is a side plan view, partly broken away, showing the cylinderrupture vessel disposed within the semi-van containing the vacuum andcompressor systems;

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the preferred embodiment for thecylinder rupture vessel housing;

FIG. 16B is a side sectional view of another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 17 is a partial front sectional view of the supporting rollers andbearings, with a target cylinder shown in phantom being supportedthereon;

FIG. 18 is a front sectional view of the lower housing portion shownsupported by the hydraulic support assemblies and the frame;

FIG. 19 is a side plan view of the cylinder rupture vessel, hydraulicsupport assembly, structural support assembly and frame;

FIG. 20 is a top plan and partial sectional view of the frame takenalong line 20--20 of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 21 is a front plan view of a clamp member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the cylinder rupture vessel ofthe present invention, indicated generally at 10, comprises a mobile,high-strength steel welded pressure vessel housing having a cylindricalshaped upper housing portion 12 integral with and disposed verticallyabove a horizontal cylindrically shaped lower housing portion 14.Together, upper and lower housing portions 12 and 14 define a chamberfor processing a target compressed gas cylinder 26 received therein.

Located within the bottom interior of the lower housing portion 14, andextending in rows along the elongate length thereof, are a plurality ofcylindrical roller bodies 16, 18, a pair of which is shown in FIG. 2.Each cylindrical roller body 16, 18 is rotatably received at each end ina pillow block bearing 20 secured to a triangularly shaped steel plate22 built into opposite interior walls of the bottom of the lower housingportion. The location of the triangularly shaped steel plates 22, andthe pillow block bearings secured thereto, is such that the cylindricalroller bodies 16, 18 are disposed at a vertical angle between the pillowblock bearings and in a direction transverse to the elongate length ofthe lower housing portion 14 of the cylinder rupture vessel. Adjacentcylindrical roller bodies 16, 18 are angled in equal but oppositedirections, with each cylindrical roller body pair 16, 18 forming aV-shaped bearing surface 24 to cradle a target compressed gas cylinder26. Pairs of oppositely angled cylindrical roller bodies 16, 18 extendthe elongate length of the lower housing portion providing V-shapedbearing surfaces 24 capable of accommodating and accurately positioningany sized target compressed gas cylinder 26 in the center interior ofthe cylinder rupture vessel. The bearing surfaces so formed are alsocapable of withstanding the forces applied during the cylinder puncturesequence. Single unit rollers having integral bearing surfaces may beutilized instead of the pillow block arrangement. In such a case, theself-centering capability is achieved by means of a V-shaped notch inthe body of the roller, thus precluding the need for pillow blockbearings and their associated supports.

The lower housing portion 14 of the cylinder rupture vessel is sealed atits normally open forward end 28 with an access member in the form of acircular hatch 30 retained in airtight sealing engagement by hinge means(not shown) with a slip-on flange 32 provided on the open end of thelower housing portion. A plurality of fixed toggle clamps 34, only oneof which is shown in FIG. 1, are located around the periphery of thecircular hatch 30 to effect a pressurized seal. Circular hatch member 30provides communication with the interior of the cylinder rupture vesselin the form of purge connections 35 for introducing an inert gas intothe vessel.

The normally open rearward end 38 of the lower housing portion 14 of thecylinder rupture vessel is sealed with a circular blind flange 40secured to a slip-on flange 32 mounted on the lower housing portion.Bolts 42 distributed around the peripheral edge of the flanges 40, 32retain them together, and a ring joint gasket 36 perfects the seal. Theblind flange 40 is provided at is lower end with a drainage port 44communicating with the interior of the vessel. The upper wall of therearward end of the lower housing portion is provided with a vacuumconnection 46, which is connected to a vacuum (not shown), forwithdrawing air from the vessel and for evacuating the gaseous contentsof a ruptured cylinder.

The upper housing portion 12 of the cylinder rupture vessel has locatedtherein a hydraulic cylinder 48 which receives hydraulic fluid fromhydraulic fluid connections 50, 52, and which accommodates a cylinderpiston 54 for vertical movement therein. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, apuncture spike 56 having a fluted point is connected to the cylinderpiston 54 by means of a rectangular block 58 which moves upwardly anddownwardly with the cylinder piston and the puncture spike along a pairof cylindrical guide rods 60 that are received within the rectangularblock. Spring pins 62 are provided in the upper ends of the cylindricalguide rods above the rectangular block to maintain the cylindrical guiderods in position within the rectangular block. The lower ends of thecylindrical guide rods are secured to a rectangular centering block 64having formed in its lower elongate edge a V-shaped notch 66 and beingprovided with a cavity 68 through which the puncture spike 56 passesupon downward movement of the cylinder piston. A compression spring 70surrounds each of the guide rods along their length between rectangularblock 58 and V-notched centering block 64. A punch and guide blockarrangement comprising four guide bars and associated compressionsprings may be utilized instead of the two-bar system.

The normally open upper housing portion 12 of the cylinder rupturevessel is sealed with a blind flange 72 which is provided with purgeconnection 74 and hydraulic fluid connections 50, 52.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the forward end 28 of the lower housingportion of the cylinder rupture vessel has provided beneath it ahydraulic support assembly comprising a pair of supporting plate members76 pivotally connected by pin member 78 to an eye member 80 locatedtherebetween. The eye member 80 is provided at its lower end with ahollow tubular passageway which receives therein piston 82 of hydrauliccylinder 84. The lower end of hydraulic cylinder 84 is provided with apair of eye members 86 which are pivotally connected by pin member 88 toa supporting plate member 90 located therebetween.

As is best indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rearward end 38 of the lowerhousing portion of the cylinder rupture vessel is provided therebeneathwith a structural support assembly comprising a pair of supporting platemembers 92 pivotally connected by means of shaft 94 to gusset platemembers 96 located adjacent to the outside face of the supporting platemembers 92. The gusset plate members are centered over beams 98.

Thus, it can be seen that vertical movement of piston 82 results inupward or downward movement of the forward end of the lower housingportion in relation to its normally horizontal plane. The result of thisvertical displacement is tilting of the cylinder rupture vessel alongits longitudinal axis around the pivoted connections 78, 88 and 94provided on the hydraulic and structural support assemblies. Tilting ofthe cylinder rupture vessel in this manner facilitates drainage ofliquid from the vessel through drainage port 44.

The entire cylinder rupture vessel 10, including the hydraulic andstructural support assemblies 88 and 108, is supported on a suitablebase 109. Further, the cylinder rupture vessel and base are preferablyenclosed in a sealed, mobile containment structure which is discussedherein connection with FIG. 15. A closed-circuit video monitor (notshown) is preferably installed in the interior of the cylinder rupturevessel to verify puncture spike penetration of the target compressed gascylinder.

All of the cylinder processing operations, including the purgeoperation, the cylinder hydraulics, the gas/liquid evacuation and theclosed-circuit video monitoring are accomplished through remoteoperation by means of controls located outside of the vessel.

In operation, the cylinder rupture vessel 10 is loaded by opening theaccess member 30 located on the forward end of the vessel. Smallertarget compressed gas cylinders are placed by hand or machine into thebody of the vessel and positioned directly beneath the puncture spike56. Larger target cylinders 26 are placed on the V-shaped bearingsurfaces 24 formed by the cylindrical roller bodies 16, 18 located alongthe bottom interior of the vessel and are slid into appropriate positionbeneath the puncture spike. The V-shaped bearing surfaces 24 cradle thetarget compressed gas cylinder 26 and accurately position it in thecenter of the cylinder rupture vessel.

Once the target gas cylinder has been properly located inside thecylinder rupture vessel, the vessel is sealed by closing the accessmember 30. A pressurized seal is obtained through the application of thefixed toggle clamps 34 around the periphery of the hatch member.

The processing cycle is initiated by purging the air from the interiorof the vessel by means of a vacuum pump (not shown) communicating withvacuum connection 46. As inert gas, generally helium or nitrogen, isintroduced into the vessel through purge connections 35 and 74, untilthe atmosphere inside the cylinder rupture vessel is completely inert.

The hydraulic cylinder 48 is actuated through hydraulic fluidconnections 50, 52 to effect downward movement of cylinder piston 54 andrectangular block 58 so that the V-notched centering block 64 is restingagainst the upper wall of the target cylinder 26 located beneath it.Further downward travel of the cylinder piston 54 results in thedownward movement of the rectangular block 58 along the cylindricalguide rods 60 against the force of compression springs 70 so that thepuncture spike is guided through the cavity in the V-notched centeringblock to puncture both the upper and lower walls of the targetcompressed gas cylinder.

Any liquids in the cylinder rupture vessel following the rupturesequence are allowed to drain through drainage port 44. Drainage isfacilitated by activating hydraulic cylinder 84 which forms part of thehydraulic support assembly beneath the forward portion of the vessel.Activation of the cylinder 100 and piston 82 results in the forwardportion of the vessel moving upwardly or downwardly in relation to itshorizontal plane, causing the vessel to tilt along its longitudinal axisaround the pivoted connection 78, 88 and 94 provided on the supportassemblies.

Gases released into the cylinder rupture vessel following the punctureoperation are evacuated through the vacuum connection 46 by means of avacuum in series with a compressor (not shown). The extracted gas can berecontainerized, sampled and staged for proper disposal. Subsequently,inert gas is reintroduced into the vessel until the atmosphere thereinis against completely inert.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10 of the drawings, there is shown a secondalternative embodiment of the cylinder rupture vessel of the presentinvention. The cylinder rupture vessel shown in FIG. 6 comprises apressure vessel housing having a cylindrically shaped upper housingportion 100 integral with and disposed vertically above a horizontalcylindrically shaped lower housing portion 102. The lower housingportion 102 differs from lower housing portion 14 of the cylinderrupture vessel of FIG. 1 in that lower housing portion 102 is of greaterelongate length for receiving therein a target compressed gas cylinder104 of substantial length. Lower housing portion 102 differs furtherfrom lower housing portion 14 in that it is sealed at its normally openforward end 106 with a cylindrical closure 108. Cylindrical closure 108is secured to the lower housing portion by means of slip-on flanges 110provided, respectively, on the cylindrical closure and on the forwardopen end of the lower housing portion. The slip-on flanges 110 aresecured to each other by means of bolts 112 located around theperipheral edge of the flanges. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8,slip-on flanges 110 are hingedly connected to each other by hinge means114, which provides access to the interior of the lower housing portionby movement of cylindrical closure 108 to the position shown in FIG. 9.The configuration of cylindrical closure 108 is such that it can beclosed over, and receive therewithin, the forward end of a targetcompressed gas cylinder 104. A ring joint gasket 116 at the cylindricalclosure-vessel interface perfects the seal. Purge connections 118 forintroducing an inert gas are provided in the outside wall of thecylindrical closure.

Lower housing portion 102 is closed at its rearward end 120 and hasformed therein an observation port 112. The upper wall of the lowerhousing portion is provided at the rearward end with a vacuum connection124 for purging air from the cylinder rupture vessel and for evacuatingany gases released during the puncture sequence. A drainage port 126 isprovided in the bottom wall of the rearward end of the lower housingportion for removing any liquids from the vessel.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, located within the bottom interior of thelower housing portion, and extending in uniform rows along the elongatelength thereof, are a plurality of vertical plates 128, the upper edgesof which are in the shape of a shallow "V". The shallow V-shaped edgesform bearing surfaces upon which rests a target compressed gas cylinder.

Upper housing portion 100 of the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 6 issimilar to upper housing portion 12 of the cylinder rupture vessel ofFIG. 1. As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 10, upper housing portion 100 haslocated therein a hydraulic cylinder 130 and piston 132 to which issecured a punch assembly, indicated generally at insert 10, which isshown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 10. The punch assembly is similar tothe puncture spike 56 discussed in conjunction with the cylinder rupturevessel of FIG. 1 and comprises a punch member 134 secured to piston 132by means of rectangular block 136 which moves vertically with the pistonalong cylindrical guide rods 138 against the force of compressionsprings 140. The lower ends of the guide rods are received within arectangular centering block 142 shown in FIG. 10 as guiding the punchmember as is punctures the upper wall of target compressed gas cylinder104.

The normally open upper housing portion 100 of the cylinder rupturevessel is sealed with a blind flange 144 secured by bolts 112 to aslip-on flange 110 mounted on the upper housing portion. Ring jointgasket 116 retains the flanges in airtight sealing engagement. Blindflange 144 is provided with hydraulic fluid connection 146 for supplyinghydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinder 130.

The forward end 106 of the lower housing portion 102 has providedtherebeneath a hydraulic support assembly 148. The rearward end 120 ofthe lower housing portion has provided therebeneath a structural supportassembly 150. Hydraulic and structural support assemblies 148, 150 havealready been described in detail in conjunction with the hydraulic andstructural support assemblies of the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1.Thus, the forward end of the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 6 may beraised or lowered in relation to its horizontal plane, resulting intilting of the unit around the pivoted connections provided on thehydraulic and structural support assemblies.

A third alternative embodiment of the instant invention is illustratedin FIGS. 11-14. The cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 11 comprises apressure vessel housing having a cylindrically shaped upper housingportion 152 integral with and disposed vertically above a horizontalcylindrically shaped lower housing portion 154.

Lower housing portion 154 is sealed at its normally open forward end 156by means of hatch member 158 having hinge means (not shown). the upperwall of the forward end of the lower housing portion is provided withpurge connection 160 for the introduction of inert gas into the cylinderrupture vessel interior.

The rearward end 162 of the lower housing portion is sealed by means ofan integral hemispherical end cap 164. The upper wall of the lowerhousing portion is provided at the rearward end with vacuum connection166 for accomplishing the air purge and gas evacuation operations. Thetop surface of the lower housing portion wall is provided at both theforward and rearward ends with a lifting lug 168.

As seen in FIGS. 11 and 13, the bottom interior of the lower housingportion 154 has located therein along its elongate length a plurality ofangled cylindrical roller bodies 170, a pair of which is shown in FIG.13. Each pair of adjacent cylindrical roller bodies forms a V-shapedbearing surface for acceptance of a target compressed gas cylinder 172(not shown), as previously discussed in detail in connection with thecylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1.

The bottom wall of the lower housing portion of the cylinder rupturevessel of FIG. 11 is interrupted by an integral cylindrical housingportion 174 depending vertically therefrom and being closed at its lowerend by means of a flange plate 173. The flange plate is connected to andsupported with respect to the integral cylindrical housing portion bymeans of a plurality of gusset plates 175 which are shaped so as toprovide a passage for the free movement of liquids around them on theinterior of the integral cylindrical housing portion.

Located within the integral cylindrical housing portion 174 beneath theV-shaped bearing surfaces is a hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement176 which communicates with lower punch member 178 to transmit upwardvertical movement thereto for puncturing the bottom wall of a targetcompressed gas cylinder which rests upon the V-shaped bearing surfacesand which is held down against the upward force of the lower punch bythe concurrent downward force of the upper punch and guide blockarrangement. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder andpiston through hydraulic fluid connections 180, 182 located in thebottom wall of the lower housing portion. A drainage port 184 is locatedin the side wall of the integral cylindrical housing portion.

Disposed below the V-shaped bearing surfaces on each side of the lowerpunch member are safety stops 186, only one of which is shown in FIG.13, secured to the interior wall of the lower housing portion by meansof brackets (not shown) welded thereto. The safety stops serve toprevent significant downward deflection of the roller bearings due tothe application of force by the upper punch member 188. They are sopositioned as to allow only negligible deflection in the rollers beforethe body of the cylinder contacts the safety stops, thereby preventingsignificant downward deflection and subsequent permanent damage to theroller bearings.

Upper housing portion 152 of the cylinder rupture vessel is of reducedvertical height compared with upper housing portion 12 of the cylinderrupture vessel of FIG. 1 and is provided in its interior with an upperpunch member 188 actuated by hydraulic cylinder and piston 190, as hasalready been described in relation to the puncture spike of the cylinderrupture vessel of FIG. 1. The normally open upper housing portion 152 issealed by means of a blind flange 200 secured by bolts 202 to a slip-onflange 204 provided on the upper housing portion. An airtight seal isperfected by ring joint gasket 206. Blind flange 200 is provided withhydraulic fluid connections 208, 210 for supplying hydraulic fluid tothe upper punch member and purge connection 212 for introducing inertgas into the vessel.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, extending from each of the side walls ofthe forward end of lower housing portion 154 are a pair of hydraulicsupport assemblies each comprising a hydraulic cylinder 214 and piston216 with the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder being pivotally securedby means of a clevis pin 218 to a supporting plate 220. The upper end ofthe piston is received within a clevis member 222, each clevis memberbeing pivotally received on a shaft member 224 secured to the outer sidewall of the lower housing portion. Each shaft member accepts theopposite end of a steel saddle 226 upper which rests the forward end ofthe lower housing portion.

Rearward end of the lower housing portion 154 has provided therebeneatha pair of structural support assemblies that are best shown in FIGS. 11and 14 as extending from the outer side walls of the rearward end. Eachstructural support assembly comprises a shaft member 228 located on eachside of the outer side walls of the rearward end of lower housingportion 154. Shaft members 228 receive opposite ends of a steel saddle226 upon which rests the rearward end of the lower housing portion.Rectangular block members 230 are situated above supporting cylindricalpipe members 232 and pivotally receive the shaft members, which aresecured therein.

Activation of the hydraulic cylinder 214 results in vertical movement ofthe piston 216, causing the forward end of the cylinder rupture vesselto be vertically displaced in relation to its horizontal plane. Thisvertical displacement results in the cylinder rupture vessel beingtilted about the pivoted connections 218, 224 and 228 provided on thehydraulic and structural support assemblies, thus facilitating the exitof liquids from the vessel through the drainage port.

The entire cylinder rupture vessel, including the hydraulic andstructural support assemblies, is positioned on a frame 234 which iscapable of being levelled by means of the hydraulic cylinder and piston,causing the end of the frame to which they are connected to be displacedin a vertical direction about the pivot point 238 provided in the frameat its opposite end.

A preferred embodiment for the cylinder rupture vessel is illustrated inFIGS. 15-20. The cylinder rupture vessel, best depicted in FIGS. 16 and19, comprises a pressure vessel housing having a cylindrically shapedfirst upper housing portion 310 in the form of a vertical riser integralwith and disposed vertically above a horizontal cylindrically shapedlower housing portion 312.

Lower housing portion 312 is sealed at its normally open forward end bymeans of a quick-opening closure 314 which provides access to theinterior of the lower housing portion for purposes of introducing atarget cylinder. The closure is manufactured to ASME code specificationsand is sealed by rotating an outer locking ring over wedges located onthe hatch. An O-ring completes the pressure sealing surface of thehatch. The upper wall of the forward end of the lower housing portion isprovided with purge connection 316 for introducing inert gas into thecylinder rupture vessel interior.

The fixed rearward end of the lower housing portion is sealed by meansof an ASME deep dish head 318. The upper wall of the lower housingportion is provided at the rearward end with vacuum withdrawal port 320for accomplishing the air purge and gas evacuation operations.

As indicated in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the bottom interior of the lowerhousing portion 312 has located therein along its elongated length apair of rollers 322, which together form a bearing surface forsupporting a target cylinder as previously discussed in detail inconnection with the alternative embodiments.

The rollers are supported by bearings 323 and are adapted to be driven,as by motor 324, depicted in FIG. 16, for rotation in the same directionso as to cause the target cylinder to rotate about its longitudinalaxis. The target cylinder, shown in phantom in FIG. 17, is thus capableof being inverted subsequent to the puncture operation in order tofacilitates drainage of any liquids from the punctured cylinder. Thebottom wall of the lower housing portion 312 at its rearward end isprovided with a drainage or liquid draw-off port 326 for draining liquidreleased by the cylinder from the pressure vessel housing.

First upper housing portion 310 of the cylinder rupture vessel isprovided in its interior with a hydraulic drill assembly 328. The drillassembly is fitted with an extendable shaft adapted to lower the drillbit to the target cylinder. The drill assembly is operatively associatedwith a gear-driven dovetail slide 330 which allows for completeretraction of the drill assembly into the first upper housing portion.The first upper housing portion includes, additionally, a pair ofhydraulic pistons 332, each of which activates a V-shaped clamp 334.FIG. 21 depicts one of the clamps, which comprises a pair of leg members336. The V-shaped clamps are connected to each other by means ofhorizontal stabilization bars 338, extending between the leg members ofrespective V-shaped clamps, as shown in FIG. 16. The clamps are adaptedto be lowered by means of the pistons 332 over a target cylinder.Downward pressure from the clamps upon the cylinder serves to immobilizethe cylinder upon the supporting rollers.

The upper end of the first upper housing portion is sealed by means of ablind flange 340. A hydraulic access port 342 or hydraulic fluidconnection is provided in the side wall of the first upper housingportion, as shown in FIG. 19, for supplying hydraulic fluid to the drillassembly.

A second vertical riser or second upper housing portion 343 may beprovided to extend vertically upward from the lower housing portion. Thesecond upper housing portion is adapted to accommodate a rupture diskassembly 602, as shown in FIG. 16B to lead to a second pressure vesselhousing so as to increase the effective available volume of the cylinderrupture vessel system. The upper end of the second upper housing portionis sealed by means of a blind flange 344.

With particular reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, opposite side walls of theforward end of lower housing portion 312 are pivotally associated at 346with a pair of hydraulic support assemblies 348, each comprising ahydraulic cylinder 350 and piston 342. The lower end of the cylinder 350is pivotally secured at 354 so as to be capable of rotation with respectto the frame 362.

The rearward end of the lower housing portion is supported by a pair ofstructural support assemblies 356 which support and hold the rearwardend of the lower housing portion in relation to the frame 362. Eachstructural support assembly comprises a pipe or shaft member 358operatively and pivotally secured at 360 to the side walls of therearward end of the lower housing portion.

Activation of the hydraulic cylinders 350 results in vertical movementof the pistons 352, causing the forward end of the cylinder rupturevessel to be vertically displaced in relation to its horizontal plane.This vertical displacement results in the cylinder rupture vessel beingtilted about the pivoted connections 346, 354 and 360 provided on thehydraulic and structural support assemblies, thereby facilitating theexist of liquids from the vessel through the drainage port.

The entire cylinder rupture vessel, including the hydraulic andstructural support assemblies, is positioned on a frame 362,particularly illustrated in FIG. 20. The frame 362 is capable of beinglevelled by means of a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly 364, apair of which is provided on one side of the frame. The cylinder andpiston assemblies 364 are adapted to raise the side of the frame towhich they are connected in a vertical direction about a pair of pivotpoints 366 provided on the opposite side of the frame.

As shown in FIG. 15, the entire cylinder rupture vessel, and the vacuumand compressor systems, are disposed in a pressure-tight room inside ofa semi-van 368. The room is constructed of 1/2 inch metal platereinforced with steel tubing. The room is adapted to contain any leakagefrom the system.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the embodiments of the inventionand the specific components described herein for illustrative purposesare but a few of those which fall within the scope and range of theinvention. The foregoing description is made only by way of example andnot as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for accessing the contents of acontainer comprising:a first enclosed chamber for receiving andsupporting said container to permit access to contents of said containerin a controlled environment; a second enclosed chamber; and a sealdisposed between the first enclosed chamber and the second enclosedchamber to permit selective fluid communication between the first andsecond enclosed chambers based upon the pressure within the firstenclosed chamber to control the total effective volume of the controlledenvironment.
 2. A system for accessing the contents of a containercomprising:a first enclosed chamber for receiving and supporting saidcontainer to permit access to contents of said container in a controlledenvironment; a second enclosed chamber; and a rupture disk assembly,whereby the rupture disk assembly operates to permit selective fluidcommunication between the first and second enclosed chambers to controlthe total effective volume of the controlled environment.